Astros likely to bid a quiet farewell to NL

Take one last good look around, because next year to most of Houston, this will be “the other league.”

The league that the Astros will leave behind in their switch from National to American is at one of the lowest points of its decade-long low. Oddsmakers have the Phillies the favorite to win the World Series if only because of the ease of getting there. The next five teams with the best odds are in the American League, with its designated hitters and larger payrolls.

But what the NL has going for it is much more unpredictability. With flaws for most come chances for others. The Marlins renovated, while the Nationals may be aging into conention in the NL East, which the vulnerable Phillies have owned. The departures of Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols from the Central leave it there for the taking. And the West will be what it usually is, a competition down to the finish line.

It is expected to be a quiet farewell for the Astros. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of September fun, as was the case last year.

EastTeam that should be favored: Phillies. Yes, still. Roy Oswalt’s gone, Ryan Howard’s gone for at least a month, and Chase Utley’s knee is a cause for chronic concern. Yet there is enough in this great rotation that the Phillies are still favored to win the East for a sixth straight year. Repeating 102 wins, though? Probably not.Team that could make some noise: Nationals. The Marlins had the loudest offseason and certainly have the loudest new look, but don’t count out the Nats. A healthy Stephen Strasburg could be a monster, and he likely will be joined by midseason by his successor as No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Harper. A young nucleus is coming together well.Team that will have a long summer: Mets. The Wilpons’ nightmare with Madoff-related turmoil continues, and the fan is getting the second-hand effects. With Jose Reyes gone and payroll slashed, this is going to get worse before it ever improves. There are holes in every unit of this team.Best righthanded pitcher: Roy Halladay, Phillies.
Best lefthanded pitcher: Cliff Lee, Phillies.
Best player: Jose Reyes, Marlins.
Player poised for a breakout year: RHP Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals.

Central
Team that should be favored: Cardinals. They have serious issues with Albert Pujols gone and Chris Carpenter hurt, but in this division, who doesn’t? Getting Adam Wainwright back from Tommy John surgery should compensate for Carpenter’s nerve problem, but Pujols’ production will have to be pieced together.Team that could make some noise: Reds. Losing a closer to injury, even an $8.5 million one like Ryan Madson, isn’t the kind of reason to count a team out. This team will go as far as Texans Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs can take it and as far as Mat Latos and the suspect back of the rotation, not the closer, will take it.Team that will have a long summer: Cubs. (Of course, beyond the locals who are coming off 106 losses and will be profiled in detail on Thursday.) It could be a dismal year on both sides of Chicago. Theo Epstein inherited bad contracts and few high-ceiling young players beyond Starlin Castro. Epstein has already started to blow it up.Best righthanded pitcher: Matt Garza, Chicago.
Best lefthanded pitcher: Jaime Garcia, St. Louis.
Best player: Joey Votto, Cincinnati.
Player poised for a breakout year: SS Zack Cosart, Cincinnati.

West
Team that should be favored: Giants. Barely. Arizona won it last year and didn’t get discernably worse. But a healthy Buster Posey, who was out most of last year, could put San Francisco over the top as he rejoins Pablo Sandoval in the middle of the lineup. And if you believe that pitching wins out, this is the team to ride.Team that could make some noise: Rockies. A really uninspired pick, but we’re not leaving this space blank. San Francisco and Arizona are definitely the favorites, but there’s so much mediocrity all around that teams can pile up some wins. Colorado is the choice based only on its persistent streakiness, and that noise could wane fast.Team that will have a long summer: Padres. Reason: They’re the only team left unmentioned because the Dodgers will have a great summer. The Dodgers may stink on the field, but they’ll finally get their ownership situation settled as red-inked Frank McCourt presumably will complete the sale and new owners can bring the great franchise back to its rightful place.Best righthanded pitcher: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco.
Best lefthanded pitcher: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles.
Best player: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles.
Player poised for a breakout year: Cameron Maybin, San Diego.

Milestones
When the Rockies’ Jamie Moyer takes the mound Saturday against the Astros, the 49-year-old will be the major leagues’ oldest pitcher since Hoyt Wilhelm in 1972.

The Phillies look to become the third team to win six straight division titles, joining the Braves (1991-2005, minus strike-shortened 1994) and the Yankees (1998-2006).

Roy Halladay needs 12 wins for 200, which only Moyer and the unretired Andy Pettitte have reached among active players.

Livan Hernandez needs 99 innings to make him the only active player in the top 100 in innings pitched.

The Reds need six wins to be the sixth team with 10,000, while the Astros need their exact total from last year, 56, to finish their NL tenure at 4,000.

Carlos Lee needs 48 games to join Bobby Abreu as the only active players with 2,000 games and no World Series appearances.